Analyzing Counters
 

I have been sorting and looking more closely at the counters that come with Melee and Wizard.

(I'm trying to avoid looking at the Death Test ones until I use them.)

1. Is there any logic to how the identifying letters got assigned to the figure artwork?

As far as I can tell, it seems to be very randomly and unevenly distributed.

2. Do you like to choose your counters based more on the letter or the artwork?

Also, currently, it seems to me that the figure art doesn't always best represent the equipment options in the rules or how I would accessorize. I'm still playing and considering though.
3. Any thoughts or preferences?
(All that said, I do appreciate the creative license and variety expressed by Liz Danforth.)

4. Do you have any favorite figures that you must disclose? ;-)

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

I choose counters strictly by aesthetics and don't worry too much about whether or not their gear perfectly matches the figure in question. My favorite Legacy Edition counter is Melee Counter Sheet 1, the top left swordsman w/shield marked P. He's a clear successor to one of my favorites from the Melee microgame. I still love those original counters.

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

That dude reminds me of the light gladiator from Avalon Hill's Gladiator (1981). And having been reminded of it, now I must go dig that game out and wallow in nostalgia for a while.

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

Oh Gladiator, you are like Melee, but with 549876309485760985673 rules... No wonder you sit on my shelf and never see the game table.

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

1. The letters let you keep track of the enemy wizards and heroes during combat. handy for the paperwork.

2. Nope.

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

I like to pick counters that are roughly the same sort of equipment as the character, and that I like, but it doesn't need to be exact.

I agree the new counter mix doesn't really abundantly cover the most likely & common fighter equipment options particularly well. One thing that was handy about the original Melee counters was that they were fairly generic, so there were fewer details to notice not being a perfect match for the character.

One can never have too many counters...

Also, with the Internet full of usable art, computers and printers, it's easier than ever to make one's own counters.

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

Since my artistic skills are nil, I depend on others. Since I like oddball characters: a female halfling wizard with a spear, a male fighter with shield and boomerang, female elf with mace, as well as some sort of traditional ones: dwarf male with shield and spear, female elf with bow, etc. These are very hard to find unfortunately. Some I have never seen, so I would love to have a set of counters displaying more weapons and, especially, more female options.

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

I like to have custom counters too and I can't draw well either so I do a couple of other things.

1. I search for illustrations in Pinterest that fit the character.
2. I've used 'headshots' from the character cards.
3. I make slight alterations to SJG counters.

Here are some examples posted on my BLOG. For Ralph, the ogre, I changed his face a little and colorized him. In the bottom row, Snidley (S) is a standard Wizard counter that I added a whip to, because the character, who may be a mage, carries a whip

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

Are there counters for Nell and the railroad tracks? :)

Re: Analyzing Counters
 

Snidley the subduer
ST 8 DX 12 IQ 12 MA 10
Kick(1d-1), Whip(1d-1)
Literacy(mundane), Unarmed Combat I(2), Unarmed Combat II(2), Whip(2)
Blast, Dazzle, Drain Strength, Reverse Missiles, Rope, Sleep